City hoping everyone will be prepared for courthouse security

Published 12:26 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Casey Steiner

The Courier-Herald

To better prepare visitors for new security measures at the Enumclaw and Maple Valley courts, the Enumclaw Police Department has released a list of prohibited items allowed within the building on Griffin Avenue.

A metal detector has been placed at the doorway to the chambers to the court and will soon be used to better protect visitors and court staff.

"This is a basic security measure used in most courts - probably 90 to 95 percent," Corrections Sgt. Tyler Chilman said. "This will be a new step in security and we just want people to know what to expect."

Items prohibited within the court include firearms, all types of aerosol or chemical sprays (including pepper spray and mace), knives, multi-tools and any other weapon or any items that could be used as a weapon.

"It's basically common sense," Chilman said. "But sometimes people forget they have pepper spray or a multi-tool on their key chain."

Visitors will be asked to walk through the metal detector after emptying their pockets of known metal items. If the sensor goes off upon entry, the visitor will be given a second chance to remove items. If the sensor goes off again, a portable "wand" will be used to scan for the location of the metal. After failure of this stage comes a pat down, or a physical search by the officer on duty.

Court personnel will not be responsible for holding items confiscated from visitors.

"If you have something you know won't be let inside, please lock it in your trunk or at least leave it out of the building," Chilman said.

Casey Steiner can be reached at csteiner@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.